Old Fochabers

NJ35NW 2 34781 59229.

(NJ 3477 5923) Old Fochabers Cross (NR) With Jougs (NR) attached.

OS 6" map, Morayshire, 2nd ed., (1903-38)

Fochabers Cross stands in its original position, which was in the old town of Fochabers. The town was removed about 1800.

Dr Cramond 1901

One of the old houses of Fochabers still stands in the ornamental grounds of Gordon Castle (NJ35NE 7.00).

J Langmuir 1860.

There is no record of the date of the cross. 'A prison cell can still be traced about 9 feet away from the pillar and also the foundations of the building.'

R Douglas 1936.

Old Fochabers Cross, situated in a pasture field is 10ft high and 1 1/2ft in diameter. A short length of chain is fastened to the north face about 6ft from the ground. The grass covered footings of a building measuring approx 4.5m x 9.0m and probably the "prison cell" mentioned by Douglas is 1.5m n. of the cross.

At NJ 3492 5907, there is a building still in use as a storehouse, which is said to be the only structure remaining of the old town. Further buildings are supposed to lie under the fish pond centred at NJ 346 591.

Surveyed at 1/2500.

Visited by OS (N K B) 26 January 1965.